William Reynolds Movies
Although in films from 1951 (he played the Rommel's son in The Desert Fox that year), when he was placed under contract by Universal-International, strapping six-foot William Reynolds (born William de Clercq Reynolds) did better on television, where he starred on Pete Kelly Blues (1959) and The Islanders (1960-1961). The handsome actor later enjoyed his greatest success as Special Agent Tom Colby on The F.B.I. (1967-1973). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide- 1964
Troy Donahue stars in this drive-in quality "B"-Western from the Warner Brothers backlot, directed by veteran director Raoul Walsh. Donahue is U.S. Cavalry Lieutenant Matt Hazard, who arrives at Fort Delivery on the Mexican border of Arizona for a new assignment. Kitty Mainwaring (Suzanne Pleshette), the wife of the commanding officer, greets Hazard upon his arrival. The next day, when he takes some of his men outside of the fort to gather wood, Hazard and his men find themselves attacked by Indians. Hazard survives and later saves Kitty from another Indian attack. A terrible storm forces the two to spend a night in a cave as they make their way back to the fort. Meanwhile, the new commander, General Quait (James Gregory), arrives at the fort and takes command -- his first order of business to launch an all-out war on the Indians. He tries to capture the belligerent Indian Chief War Eagle but fails. When Hazard arrives back at the fort, Quait orders Hazard into Mexico to convince War Eagle to surrender. Hazard has War Eagle agree to return with him on the promise that the Indians can have a safe haven at an Arizona reservation. But, on their way back to the fort, they are met by Major Miller (Lane Bradford), who, instead, orders the Indians to be sent to Florida. Hazard and Quaint end up traveling to Washington to try to convince the United States government to reverse their decision against the Indians. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
One of director Douglas Sirk's best and most successful romantic soapers of the 1950s, All That Heaven Allows is predicated on a May-December romance. The difference here is that the woman, attractive widow Cary Scott (Jane Wyman), is considerably older than the man, handsome gardener-landscaper Ron Kirby (Rock Hudson). Sirk builds up sympathy for Cary by showing how empty her life has been since her husband's death, even suggesting that the marriage itself was no picnic. Throwing conventionial behavior to the winds and facing social ostracism, Cary pursues her romance with Ron, who is unjustly perceived as a fortune-hunter by Cary's friends and family--especially her priggish son Ned (William Reynolds). Amusingly, Conrad Nagel was to have had a much larger part as Harvey, an elderly widower who carries a torch for Cary, but his role was trimmed down during previews when audiences disapproved of an implicit romance between a sixtyish man and a fortysomething woman! All That Heaven Allows was remade by unabashed Douglas Sirk admirer Rainer Werner Fassbinder as Ali--Fear Eats the Soul (1974), in which the age gap between hero and heroine was even wider. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, (more)
- 1956
Based on the novel by Kenneth M. Dodson, Away All Boats stars Jeff Chandler as a tough Navy captain who takes charge of a group of raw, undisciplined sailors during World War 2. To keep his men from getting on each other's nerves, Chandler makes himself the target of their excess hatred by assuming the pose of a rigid martinet who cares nothing about his crew's wellbeing. He finds an ally in lieutenant George Nader, who catches on to Chandler's "act" and helps him maintain discipline. The crew survives numerous Japanese air and sea attacks with flying colors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Chandler, George Nader, (more)
Carrie is based on Sister Carrie, a novel by Theodore Dreiser. Dreiser's clumsy, unwieldy prose is streamlined into a neat and precise screenplay by Ruth and Augustus Goetz. Jennifer Jones stars as Carrie, who leaves her go-nowhere small town for the wicked metropolis of Chicago. Here she becomes the mistress of brash traveling salesman Charles Drouet (Eddie Albert), then throws him over in favor of erudite restaurant manager George Hurstwood (Laurence Olivier). Obsessed by Carrie, George steals money from his boss to support her in the manner to which he thinks she is accustomed. Left broke and disgraced by the ensuing scandal, Carrie deserts George to become an actress. Years later, the conscience-stricken Carrie tries to regenerate George, who has fallen into bum-hood. If Laurence Olivier seems a surprising casting choice in Carrie, try to imagine what the film would have been like had Cary Grant, Paramount's first choice, accepted the role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laurence Olivier, Jennifer Jones, (more)
- 1955
Six GIs stationed in Asia secretly photograph the arcane rituals of a group of cobra worshippers. At the climax of the ceremony, the cult members turn themselves into snakes. The high priestess catches the soldiers spying and throws a curse upon them. This off-beat horror film follows what happens to the men after that. Soon after they return to the US, the vengeful priestess follows them and people begin to die from snake venom poisoning, adding credence to the strange tale told by a surviving GI to the police, who become less skeptical as more evidence is unearthed. More trouble follows when the serpentine goddess falls for the ex-soldier's roomie. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Faith Domergue, Richard Long, (more)
- 1951
Dear Brat was the second sequel to the 1947 comedy hit Dear Ruth (the first sequel, in case you're interested, was Dear Wife). Mona Freeman is back as Miriam Watkins, still minding everyone's business but her own. This time around, Miriam "adopts" a criminal (Lyle Bettger) who claims he wants to go straight. The crook's presence does not sit well with Miriam's politician father (Edward Arnold), nor does it appear that the "lost sheep" has any real intention of reforming. Thanks to Miriam's influence, however, the criminal ends up being as good as his word. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mona Freeman, Billy De Wolfe, (more)
- 1964
A full year before the debut of Warner Bros.' TV series The FBI, a pilot of sorts was filmed under the title FBI Code 98. Jack Kelly heads the cast of this Dragnet-style docudrama, wherein the action is underlined by William Woodson's stentorian off-camera narration. The main plot concerns a disgruntled mad bomber, who uses his heightened knowledge of electronics to stay one step ahead of detection. The all-Warner-contractee cast includes Maverick's Kelly, Ray Danton, Andrew Duggan, Philip Carey, William Reynolds (later a regular on The FBI), Peggy McCay and Merry Anders. Originally intended as a TV special, FBI Code 98 was released theatrically instead. The film was produced by Stanley Niss, the author of the book on which the screenplay was based. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Kelly, Ray Danton, (more)
Follow Me, Boys!, Disney's paean to the Boys Scouts of America, leaves no cliché unturned: we're even offered the old reliable "kid hanging over cliff by rope" bit. Corny, sentimental and obvious though it may be, the film is a delight to watch, especially whenever Fred MacMurray dominates the screen. MacMurray plays Lem Siddons, a 1930s musician who decides to settle down in a small Midwestern town. Here he meets pretty bank teller Vida Downey (Vera Miles), who bemoans the fact that the local boys have no organized activities with which to occupy their time. Volunteering to be a scoutmaster, Lem begins a local scout troop. There are some tense moments when banker Ralph Hastings (Elliot Reid) demands that Lem's scouts vacate their headquarters, but Reid's feisty millionaire Aunt Hetty (Lillian Gish) comes to the rescue. The film's throughline is the regeneration of local "tough kid" Whitey (Kurt Russell), who, after joining the Boy Scouts, straightens out and matures into a solid citizen. The film's lachrymose climax is kept "honest" by the sincere underplaying of Fred MacMurray. Though lambasted by reviewers, Follow Me, Boys! struck a responsive chord with filmgoers, to the tune of a $5.5 million box-office take. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred MacMurray, Vera Miles, (more)
- 1952
Francis Goes to West Point is the third entry in Universal's money-spinning series about a talking mule. Donald O'Connor once again stars as Peter Sterling, who with the garrulous Francis' helps prevent the destruction of an atomic energy plant. As a reward, Peter is given a scholarship to West Point, where he quickly distinguishes himself as the military academy's biggest foul-up. Peter's future as an officer and a gentleman is saved by the timely arrival of Francis, who functions as the West Point football team's mascot. This time around, O'Connor is allotted two lovely leading ladies, played by Lori Nelson and Alice Kelly. Two of the West Point cadets are played by future TV favorites David Janssen and James Best. And as always, Francis' Southern-fried voice is supplied by Chill Wills. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald O'Connor, Lori Nelson, (more)
- 1953
No relation to the TV and radio series of the same name, Universal-International's Gunsmoke is a Technicolor vehicle for action star (and war hero) Audie Murphy. Murphy plays a wandering hired gun who is commissioned to kill a rancher (Paul Kelly). The film's conflict arises when the gunslinger befriends his would-be victim and comes to reject the attitudes of those who hired him. The fact that the gunman has fallen in love with the rancher's daughter (Susan Cabot) may have something to do with his change of heart. Audie Murphy mends his ways by the time Gunsmoke comes to a close, as if there was any doubt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Susan Cabot, (more)
- 1952
Douglas Sirk directed this frothy musical comedy set in the 1920s starring Charles Coburn as Samuel Fulton, an elderly man with a multi-million dollar fortune. With no family of his own to whom he can leave his money, Fulton is pondering what to do with his estate. Years ago, he was in love with a woman named Harriet, whom he asked to marry. She turned him down and married another someone else, but he's still fond of her and considers leaving his millions to her family. However, Fulton decides to first give them a test. Posing as an eccentric and threadbare artist, he rents a room from Harriet (Lynn Bari) and her husband Charles (Larry Gates). He then arranges for an anonymous gift of $100,000 to be presented to them so that he can watch their reactions. Sadly, things don't go well; Harriet browbeats the rest of the family into moving into a mansion and tries to convince her daughter Millicent (Piper Laurie) to break up with her boyfriend, poor but good-hearted soda jerk Dan (Rock Hudson), in favor of a wealthier and more socially prominent man. Songs include "Tiger Rag," "When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbin' Along," "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More," and "Gimme a Little Kiss, Will Ya, Huh?" James Dean has a tiny part as a customer at the soda fountain; it was his first appearance onscreen. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Piper Laurie, Rock Hudson, (more)
- 1959
This is the celebrated Maverick spoof of Jack Webb's Dragnet, complete with deadpan narration by protagonist Bret Maverick (James Garner). Travelling by stagecoach to the town of Apocalypse, Bret is in the middle of a blackjack game with a tinhorn gambler (John Vivyan) when the coach is held up an effusively friendly masked bandit, who wears distinctively colorful bandana. Subsequently endeavoring to recover his stolen money, Bret follows the trail of clues to a whiskey-loving cowpoke named Johnny Rain (William Reynolds), who honestly can't remember if he has been robbing stagecoaches while drunk. Dance hall gal Millie Reid (Dolores Donlon) is a key player in the "Just the facts, ma'am" intrigue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In San Francisco, Bart (Jack Kelly) suspects that one of the town's leading citizens, Van Buren Kingsley, is a swindler. Before long, Kingsley shows his hand by arranging for Bart to get beaten up and shanghaied. In typical Maverick fashion, Bart tries to turn the tables on the duplicitous Kingsley by setting up a sting operation involving a cache of valuable diamonds. Watch for veteran character actor Sig Ruman, aka "Concentration Camp Ehrhardt" in the Jack Benny film To Be or Not to Be, in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
No sooner has he arrived in the town of Hollow Rock than Bret (James Garner) loses his money in a crooked poker game. Unfortunately, Bret can't go to the sheriff for help, since the sheriff was in on the swindle. But Bret is determined to get his money back, and he intends to use an upcoming Fourth of July horse race--and a stopwatch--to achieve his goal. This episode was originally slated to air on December 14, 1958. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Bret (James Garner) is summoned for jury duty in the trial of young Bill Gregg (William Reynolds), who is accused of murdering a wealthy rancher. Disturbed that the jury has already decided that Gregg is guilty--and certain that the poor fellow is being railroaded--Bret endeavors to win the other jurors over to his side, using a deck of cards as his "persuader." Directed by Richard L. Bare, this episode features supporting appearances by George O'Hanlon, whom Bare had directed in dozens of "Joe McDoakes" theatrical shorts, and Frank Cady, who later played Sam Drucker in the Bare-directed sitcom Green Acres. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Mister Cory represented the first of several successful collaborations between star Tony Curtis and director Blake Edwards. Adapted from a story by Leo Rosten, the story details the rise of Mr. Cory (Curtis) from summer-resort busboy to high-stakes gambler. Along the way, Cory uses several close associates to get ahead, including sluttish socialite Abby Vollard (Martha Hyer) and Abby's virtuous young sister Jen (Kathryn Grant). Charles Bickford delivers a sturdy performance as the worldly-wise older gambler who becomes Cory's partner and severest critic. Judging by the number of times it has recently popped up on Cable TV, Mister Cory is one of the most enduringly popular of Tony Curtis' 1950s vehicles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, Martha Hyer, (more)
- 1951
Barry Sullivan plays an eager young lawyer who is willing to sacrifice any and all scruples on the upward climb. He is put on retainer by a gangster, and soon is ankle-deep in an insurance racket. When he wants to pull out, Sullivan is framed for a gangland murder. No Questions Asked was in line with the harsher, less frothy fare produced by MGM during the Dore Schary regime. The screenplay was by former radio gagman Sidney Sheldon, who would later carve a literary niche for himself in the best-seller market of the 1970s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barry Sullivan, Arlene Dahl, (more)
- 1952
In this swashbuckling adventure-satire, Kashma Baba's famous father Ali, sends the reluctant youth to military school to prepare him for the troubles ahead. Meanwhile, an evil Caliph kidnaps and enslaves an Arabian princess as part of his plan to steal Ali Baba's fabulous treasure. He then sends his new "slave' to Kashma's home. The Caliph tells the Shah, to whom the princess is betrothed, that Kashma has stolen her and that he will get her back. While staying with Kashma, the princess finds herself falling in love. When Kashma learns of the plot he and his buddies pick up their swords and begin trying to save her and retrieve his father's stolen treasure. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, Piper Laurie, (more)
- 1952
Two of the cast members from the 1950 western Broken Arrow, Jeff Chandler and Jay Silverheels, recreate their earlier roles in 1952's Battle at Apache Pass. Chandler plays temperate Indian leader Cochise, while Silverheels is the more explosive Geronimo. The film takes place several years before the events depicted in Broken Arrow, a time in which Cochise attempts to prevent war between his people and the white settlers. Though Cochise's wife dies at the hands of a bigoted cavalry officer and a crooked Indian agent, the stoic Native American continues to believe that a lasting peace is possible. Two years after Battle at Apache Pass, Jeff Chandler would again reprise the role of Cochise (this time as a dying old man) in Taza, Son of Cochise (54). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Lund, Jeff Chandler, (more)
- 1958
Shipped out on a double bill with Summer Love, Universal's The Big Beat is another of those "rock & roll salads" so popular in the late 1950s. What plot there is concerns the efforts by record executive John Randall (William Reynolds) to sign up several top R&R acts. John also wants to prove his mettle to his old-fashioned exec father Joseph (Bill Goodwin), whose tastes are strictly squaresville. Aiding and abetting Randall is his faithful secretary Nikki (Andrea Martin), who of course worships the shag rug her boss walks on. Comic relief is provided by the one-time-only teaming of Rose Marie and Hans Conried. (This alone is worth the admission price!) The musical highlights in The Big Beat are provided by such luminaries as Gogi Grant, Fats Domino ("I'm Walking"), and the Diamonds. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Reynolds, Andra Martin, (more)
- 1951
Though director Budd Boetticher is best known to western fans for his collaborative efforts with star Randolph Scott, Boetticher also turned out several worthwhile actioners with other cowboy stars. The Cimarron Kid stars Audie Murphy in the title role. After being falsely accused of a payroll heist, the Kid heads for the high country, where he joins the outlaw Dalton gang. When the Daltons are decimated during a daring daylight bank robbery, the Kid takes over what is left of the gang and hides out at a local ranch. Here he is reformed by the love of rancher's daughter Carrie Roberts (Beverly Tyler), but not so reformed that he doesn't embark upon one last robbery. Universal contractee Yvette Dugay has a high old time in the role of that notorious sagebrush camp follower, Rose of Cimarron. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Yvette Dugay, (more)
The Desert Fox is a superb filmed biography of German general Erwin Rommel, concentrating on the period between his retreat from North Africa and his government-decreed death. A brilliant tactician, Rommel earns the respect not only of his own men but of the enemy. Unfortunately, Adolph Hitler (Luther Adler), laboring under the delusion that he too is a military genius, demands more of Rommel than he's able to provide. Ordered to stand his ground in Africa to the last man, Rommel realizes that it's more intelligent in the long run to retreat; this incurs Hitler's wrath, but Rommel is a war hero, and as such is virtually "untouchable". Increasingly disgusted by Hitler's behavior, Rommel joins in a plot to assassinate the Fuhrer. The attempt fails, and Rommel's complicity is discovered. He is given a choice: either face a horrible death by torture, or commit suicide, thereby saving his family and his reputation. Rommel opts for the latter; the official story given to the press is that Rommel died heroically of his war wounds. Also appearing in The Desert Fox are Jessica Tandy as Rommel's wife and Leo G. Carroll as an insufferably aristocratic Von Ruhnstedt. The film caused a critical stir in 1951 by providing a tense ten-minute dramatic sequence before the opening credits--a technique that is all but de rigueur today. The Desert Fox was based on the book by Brigadier Desmond Young, who narrates the film and appears as himself in the early scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Mason, Cedric Hardwicke, (more)
- 1966
Working on a tip, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) goes undercover at a Colorado federal prison, where becomes the cellmate of hard-bitten "lifer" Fritz Moline (Joe Campanella). Having spent five years formulating an escape plan, Moline has no qualms about killing anyone who might get in his way--including his new "buddy" Erskine. William Reynolds, who would join the series during Season Three as Special Agent Tom Colley, is here cast as another FBI operative named Kendall Lisbon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Season Three of The F.B.I. finds hard-working Inspector Lew Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and his main sidekick, Agent Arthur Ward (Philip Abbott), continuing to hunt down and capture Federal criminals, using the latest in crimefighting technology--and a healthy supply of common sense and intuition. Gone from the series this year is Erskine's young assistant Agent Jim Rhodes; in his place is Agent Tom Colby, played by William Reynolds. The season begins with "The Gold Card", featuring in its supporting cast such familiar faces as western actor L.Q. Jones, movie leading lady Joanna Moore (the mother of Tatum O'Neal), and radio perennial Vic Perrin. As the season progresses, the viewer is treated to guest appearances by the likes of Viveca Lindfors in "The Sleeper Wakes", Martha Scott in "Overload", Victor French and Carol Lynley in "False Witness", Martin Sheen and Edward Asner (cast as brothers!) in "The Dynasty", Burt Reynolds in "Act of Violence", Richard Kiley in "The Homecoming", Anne Baxter in "Region of Peril", and future teen idol Bobby Sherman in "The Mechanized Accomplice." An intriguing bit of casting occurs in the episode "The Legend of John Rim", in which one of the stars of the movie version of M*A*S*H, Tom Skerritt, appears with one of the stars of the M*A*S*H TV series, Wayne Rogers. Still comfortably installed in its familiar Sunday-evening timeslot, The F.B.I. climbed from 29th to 22nd place in the overall ratings during its third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Philip Abbott, (more)
- 1968
The fourth season of The F.B.I. is also the first season without any major cast changes. Back for more cops-and-robbers action are Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as FBI Inspector Lew Erskine, Philip Abbott as Agent Arthur Ward, and William Reynolds as Agent Tom Colby. As in previous years, the main selling card of this season's crop of episodes is manifested in the choice of guest stars. Among those appearing are Louis Jourdan in the season opener "Wind It Up and It Betrays You", Susan Strasberg and Suzanne Pleshette in "The Quarry", Ron Howard in "The Runaways", Daniel J. Travantiin "Death of a Fixer", Cicely Tyson in "The Enemies", Bruce Dern in "The Nightmare", Robert Duvall in "The Harvest", Maurice Evans, Monte Markham and Georg Stanford Brown in "The Intermediary", Ralph Bellamy in "The Butcher", Marie Windsor in "The Flaw", Patrick Wayne (son of John) in "The Widow", Billy Dee Williams in "Eye of the Storm", Hal Holbrook in "The Fraud", Harrison Ford in "Caesar's Wife" and Gene Tierney in "Conspiracy of Silence". The season finale "Moment of Truth" features veteran actor Richard Carlson, best known for his role as a Federal undercover agent on the 1950s TV series I Led Three Lives, as a thoroughly corrupt loan shark! Continuing to thrive in a Sunday-night timeslot opposite The Ed Sullivan Show, The F.B.I. ended its fourth season as America's 18th most popular program. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Philip Abbott, (more)
